Design and In Vitro Evaluation of Compression-coated Pulsatile Release Tablets of Losartan Potassium

Analytical insights into the detoxification process and characterization of a traditional metallopharmaceutical formulation

Metallopharmaceuticals possess unique medicinal properties and have been used since ancient times. In spite of the inclusion of several metals and minerals, there is an increased interest in metallo-drugs for clinical and research purposes because of their immense therapeutic efficiency and non-toxic claim, as they are processed in addition to specific poly herbals. Sivanar Amirtham is one of the traditional metallopharmaceuticals used in Siddha medicine to treat various respiratory diseases and other ailments, including antidote therapy for poisonous bites. The present research work attempted to formulate the metallodrug preparation as per the standard protocols, including the detoxification process of the raw materials, followed by the analytical characterization studies to evaluate the physicochemical properties responsible for the stability, quality, and efficacy. The study included the comparative analysis of the raw materials, processed samples, intermediate samples, finished products, and commercial samples to understand the science involved in detoxification and formulation processing. The appropriate product profile was developed based on analysis of the particle size and surface charge by Zeta sizer, morphology and distribution by SEM-EDAX, functional groups and chemical interactions by FTIR, thermal behavior and stability by TG-DSC, crystallinity by XRD, and elemental composition by XPS. The findings of the research could provide scientific proof of evidence to overcome the limitations of the product owing to the standard quality and safety concern of the metal-mineral constituents, such as mercury, sulphur, and arsenic in the polyherbomineral formulation.

Preparation and Characterization of Sumatriptan Timed Delivery System Using Combination of Natural and Synthetic Polymers

BACKGROUND: Pulsatile drug delivery systems are time-controlled dosage forms that release active pharmaceutical component after a predefined period in order to synchronize circadian cycle of illness. Migraine has a diurnal cycle, with episodes peaking between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. Sumatriptan acts as a selective agonist for 5-Hydroxytryptamine1 (serotonin) receptors. Thus, it is an effective therapy for acute migraine episodes. AIM: The objective of the study is to create a time-controlled press-coated tablet containing two sumatriptan pulses. The first pulse demonstrated 100% active component release within 2 min, followed by the second sumatriptan pulse after just 5.5-h lag period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prepared eleven formulations for rapid dissolving core tablets and thirty-three formulations for press-coated tablet that were manufactured by direct compression technique. The third layer was then squeezed onto press-coated tablet to create a two-pulse-time-controlled system. The qualities of core tablets and coatings were examined using a variety of criteria. RESULTS: The formula F7 of core tablet was chosen because it had the lowest disintegration duration (8.8 s) with the quickest drug release within 2 min. In addition, formula C28 of the pectin-containing press-coated tablet: EC 100 mpa.s: HPMCK4M in concentrations of 20mg, 100 mg, and 80 mg were chosen as optimal coating layer. CONCLUSIONS: Utilizing pulsatile delivery system for sumatriptan is an effective strategy in resolving migraine attacks.

Synthesis and Characterization of Nanoporous Carbon Carriers for Losartan Potassium Delivery

Losartan potassium is most commonly used for the treatment of hypertension. In recent years, new applications of this drug have emerged, encouraging the design of novel nanoporous carriers for its adsorption and release. The purpose of this study was to synthesize ordered mesoporous carbon vehicles via a soft-templating method altered with the use of nitrogen precursors and via a hard-templating method followed by chitosan functionalization. As a result, the materials obtained differed in nitrogen content as well as in the number of total surface functional groups. The impact of the modification on the physicochemical properties of carbon carriers and their interaction with losartan potassium during adsorption and release processes was examined. The materials were characterized by various morphologies, specific surface areas (101–1180 m² g⁻¹), and the amount of acidic/basic oxygen-containing functional groups (1.26–4.27 mmol g⁻¹). These features, along with pore sizes and volumes, had a key effect on the sorption capacity of carbon carriers towards losartan potassium (59–161 mg g⁻¹). Moreover, they contributed to the differential release of the drug (18.56–90.46%). Losartan potassium adsorption onto the surface of carbonaceous materials was mainly based on the formation of hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions and followed the Langmuir type isotherm. It has been shown that the choice of the method of carbon carriers’ synthesis and their modification allows for the precise control of the kinetics of the losartan potassium release from their surface, resulting in rapid or sustained drug liberation.

Inhaled Micro/Nanoparticulate Anticancer Drug Formulations: An Emerging Targeted Drug Delivery Strategy for Lung Cancers

Local delivery of drug to the target organ via inhalation offers enormous benefits in the management of many diseases. Lung cancer is the most common of all cancers and it is the leading cause of death worldwide. Currently available treatment systems (intravenous or oral drug delivery) are not efficient in accumulating the delivered drug into the target tumor cells and are usually associated with various systemic and dose-related adverse effects. The pulmonary drug delivery technology would enable preferential accumulation of drug within the cancer cell and thus be superior to intravenous and oral delivery in reducing cancer cell proliferation and minimising the systemic adverse effects. Site-specific drug delivery via inhalation for the treatment of lung cancer is both feasible and efficient. The inhaled drug delivery system is non-invasive, produces high bioavailability at a low dose and avoids first pass metabolism of the delivered drug. Various anticancer drugs including chemotherapeutics, proteins and genes have been investigated for inhalation in lung cancers with significant outcomes. Pulmonary delivery of drugs from dry powder inhaler (DPI) formulation is stable and has high patient compliance. Herein, we report the potential of pulmonary drug delivery from dry powder inhaler (DPI) formulations inhibiting lung cancer cell proliferation at very low dose with reduced unwanted adverse effects.

Recent advances in chitosan-based nanoparticulate pulmonary drug delivery

The advent of biodegradable polymer-encapsulated drug nanoparticles has made the pulmonary route of administration an exciting area of drug delivery research. Chitosan, a natural biodegradable and biocompatible polysaccharide has received enormous attention as a carrier for drug delivery. Recently, nanoparticles of chitosan (CS) and its synthetic derivatives have been investigated for the encapsulation and delivery of many drugs with improved targeting and controlled release. Herein, recent advances in the preparation and use of micro-/nanoparticles of chitosan and its derivatives for pulmonary delivery of various therapeutic agents (drugs, genes, vaccines) are reviewed. Although chitosan has wide applications in terms of formulations and routes of drug delivery, this review is focused on pulmonary delivery of drug-encapsulated nanoparticles of chitosan and its derivatives. In addition, the controversial toxicological effects of chitosan nanoparticles for lung delivery will also be discussed.

Stability of chitosan-a challenge for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications

Chitosan-one of the natural multifunctional polymers-due to its unique and versatile biological properties is regarded as a useful compound in medical and pharmaceutical technology. Recently, considerable research effort has been made in order to develop safe and efficient chitosan products. However, the problem of poor stability of chitosan-based systems restricts its practical applicability; thus, it has become a great challenge to establish sufficient shelf-life for chitosan formulations. Improved stability can be assessed by controlling the environmental factors, manipulating processing conditions (e.g., temperature), introducing a proper stabilizing compound, developing chitosan blends with another polymer, or modifying the chitosan structure using chemical or ionic agents. This review covers the influence of internal, environmental, and processing factors on the long-term stability of chitosan products. The aim of this paper is also to highlight the latest developments which enable the physicochemical properties of chitosan-based applications to be preserved upon storage.